Means for storing aircraft

ABSTRACT

A means for storing aircraft comprising support frame means and lifting frame means or pallet means for supporting and storing an aircraft on said frame means. Said frame means is capable of accommodating one aircraft therein, as well as supporting another aircraft thereon in vertically spaced relationship to said one aircraft. A plurality of support frame means and pallet means may be provided for supporting a plurality of aircraft in spaced, stacked relationship.

United States Patent [1 Dean [ MEANS FOR STORING AIRCRAFT [76] Inventor:Charles W. Dean, 2942 Palm Ave., Fort Myers, Fla.

[22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 175,514

[52] U.S. Cl. 211/13, 52/174, 214/1 R,

214/152 [51] Int. Cl B641 l/00 [58] Field of Search 211/13, 134, 148;

248/119 R; 108/51, 53, 55; 214/1 R, 10.5, 16.1 CC, 16.1 CE; 244/114 R;114/435; 206/46 M; 52/73 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,751,721 3/1930 Bellmann 2l4/16.1 CC 3,550,333 12/1970 Kliewer et al..52/73 3,261,134 7/1966 Crist 52/73 X 2,524,260 10/1950 Hutson.... 206/46M X 2,798,729 7/1957 Paul 280/35 2,463,744 3/1949 Clemens 214/l6.1 CC X3,500,770 3/1970 Skubic 108/53 2,381,583 8/1945 Fechtenburg.... 114/4353,074,518 l/1963 Conrad et a1. 52/73 1,847,549 3/1932 Adams 214/161 CCFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 506,737 5/1939 Great Britain 244/114 R1,219,313 12/1959 France 248/119 R Primary Examiner-Roy D. FrazierAssistant Examiner-Thomas J. l-lollto Attorney-Luke A. Mattare et a1.

A means for storing aircraft comprising support frame means and liftingframe means or pallet means for supporting and storing an aircraft onsaid frame means. Said frame means is capable of accommodating oneaircraft therein, as well as supporting another aircraft thereon invertically spaced relationship to said one aircraft. A plurality ofsupport frame means and pallet means may be provided for supporting aplurality of aircraft in spaced, stacked relationship.

17 Claims, 10 Drawing Figum PATENTED SEP 4 I918 SHEEI 1 [IF 4 INVENTORCHARLES W. DEAN ATTORNEYS mcmmssr 4 ms sum 2 of 4 3.7563319 INVENTORIII/I'm i ATTORNEYS I MEANS FOR STORING AracaAr'r BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a means for storing aircraft. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a means for high density, lowcost storage of aircraft wherein the aircraft are stored on spaced apartframe means and in vertically stacked relationship.

In the prior art, aircraft storage is costly clue to the large amount offloor space required to store an aircraft. When a plurality of aircraftare stored side by side, only a limited number may be placed in a givenarea because of the wing span of the aircraft, since the wings ofadjacent aircraft must be kept spaced apart.

According to the present invention, a support frame means is providedhaving support braces or portions thereon for supporting a liftingpallet. The lifting pallet includes means for guiding and supporting thewheels of an aircraft so that the aircraft may be positioned on thepallet and the pallet and aircraft lifted, as for example with aforklift or the like, and placed on top of the support frame means sothat a plurality of aircraft may be stored in vertically stackedrelationship. Accordingly, at least twice as many aircraft may be storedwith the present invention as can be stored in the same space accordingto prior art methods. Further, the present invention enables the wingsof adjacent aircraft to overlap, thus enabling the aircraft to be placedcloser together in side-by-side relationship.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide ameans of storing a maximum number of aircraft in a minimum amount ofspace.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means of storingaircraft wherein support frame means is provided for supporting alifting pallet on which the aircraft is supported so that a plurality ofaircraft may be stored in stacked relationship.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lifting pallet forhandling aircraft, wherein means is provided for guiding and supportingthe aircraft on the pallet, and said pallet has means so that it and anaircraft supported thereon may be lifted by a lifting implement, such asa crane or forklift or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end view of an aircrafthanger or the like showing a plurality of aircraft stored thereinaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 illustrating themanner in which a plurality of aircraft may be stored in side-by-siderelationship according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the lifting pallet of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the lifting pallet.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the lifting pallet with an aircraftsupported thereon.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the support frame of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the support frame.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the support frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, an aircraft hanger or the like is indicated generally atl in FIG. I and has a roof R and opposite side walls W. A plurality ofaircraft A are shown stored in the hanger l with some of the aircraftresting on pallets ll) supported on support frames Ill.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of aircraft A may be supported onthe pallet and frames along the opposite sides of the hanger andadditional aircraft A may be stored in the space between the rows ofaircraft supported on the pallets and frames. A conventional forklift orthe like 12 may be used for lifting and transporting the pallets andaircraft supported thereon.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 7, details of construction of thepallets are illustrated. Each pallet 10 comprises a pair of spaced apartll-beam side frame members 13 and M converging toward one another at oneend thereof and disposed with their flanges extending horizontally. Aninverted, channel-shaped end frame member 15 is welded or otherwisesuitably connected at its opposite ends to said side frame members 13and 14 at said one end thereof and is disposed on top of the bottomhorizontally extending flange of said side frame members.

A similar, but larger, inverted channel-shaped end frame member l6 iswelded or otherwise suitably connected to the other ends of said sideframe members 13 and 14 and projects a slight distance outwardly beyondthe side frame members.

An intermediate channel-shaped frame member 17, substantially identicalto frame member If, is welded or otherwise suitably connected at itsopposite ends to said side frame members 13 and M between the end framemembers 15 and 16 and spaced closer to said end frame member 15 thansaid end frame member 16. The intermediate frame member 17 is positionedagainst the bottom of the top horizontally extending flange of said sideframe members with the channel opening upwardly and is spaced upwardlyfrom the plane of said end frame member 15. A longitudinally extending,channel-shaped wheel ramp and support member w is welded or otherwisesuitably connected at one end to the underside of said intermediateframe member 17 at substantially the middle of said intermediate framemember and extends at its other end through cut-out portions 19 and 20in the vertically extending flanges of said end frame member 16. Thewheel ramp and support member 1% includes a first portion Zl slightlydownwardly inclined toward said intermediate frame member l7 and asecond portion 22 at the other end thereof downwardly inclined towardthe end frame member 116. The portion 22 extends outwardly anddownwardly beyond end frame member 16 to a point substantially in theplane of the bottom of said side frame members 13 and M, and below theplane of the end frame member 16.

Each of the side frame members l3 and M includes a downwardly slopingportion 23 and respectively, extending from a point substantially inline with the juncture between portions 2i and 22 of wheel ramp andsupport member 1a and terminating substantially at the level of the topof the inside vertically extending flange of end frame member If. Tworelatively wide wedge-shaped wheel ramps 25 and 2b are suitablyconnected as by bolts or welds or the like to the outer edge of endframe member 16 adjacent the opposite ends thereof and in substantialalignment with the side frame members 13 and 14. The wheel ramps and 26have substantially the same slope as the portion 22 of wheel ramp andsupport member 18.

A pair of vertically movable wheel pads 27 and 28 are mounted in thechannel of end frame member 16 adjacent the opposite ends thereof inline with wheel ramps 25 and 26. Each of the wheel pads comprises aninverted channel-shaped wheel supporting and engaging member 29 having aplurality of pins 30 and 31 connected thereto extending from theunderside thereof through aligned openings 32 and 33 in the bottom ofend frame member 16. The wheel pads are normally in the position shownin full line in FIG. 6 with the channel-shaped wheel supporting andengaging member 29 resting on the bottom of end frame member 16 and thepins projecting below the end frame member 16. When it is desired toremove an aircraft, the pallet is lowered onto a supporting surface, andin order to aid in removing the wheels of the aircraft from between thevertically extending flanges of end frame member 16, suitable means suchas blocks of wood 34 or the like may be positioned on the supportingsurface in alignment with the pins 30 and 31 so as to engage the pinsand raise the wheel pads to the position shown in dotted line in FIG. 6.This elevates the wheels to a position substantially in alignment withthe tops of the vertical flanges of end frame member 16.

Alternatively, the blocks 34 may be affixed directly to the pins 30 and31, if desired, but this renders the aircraft susceptible ofaccidentally moving off of the pallet since the pads would be elevatedanytime the pallet is resting on a supporting surface.

The pallet is primarily intended for use with aircraft having tricyclelanding gear, such as small helicopters and airplanes, and in use, anaircraft is moved onto the pallet with the front wheel thereof receivedin and guided by the wheel ramp and support member 18, and the backwheels thereof guided by the wheel ramps 25 and 26 into the spacebetween the vertical flanges of end frame member 16 onto the wheel pads27 and 28. The forks F of a forklift 12 are then extended over end framemember 15 and under intermediate frame member 17 to lift the pallet andan aircraft supported thereon. The aircraft A may be suitably secured tothe pallet by means of cables, ropes, chains or the like 35 secured tothe front wheel of the aircraft and to the side frame members of thelifting pallet.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the support frame 11 for supportingthe pallet 10 and aircraft A is shown. Each support frame 11 comprises apair of vertically spaced, l-beam side frame members 36 and 37 at oneside of the frame, and a pair of substantially identical l-beam sideframe members 38 and 39 at the other side thereof. A verticallyextending l-beam column or support 40 is suitably connected as bywelding or the like at its opposite ends to the side frame members 36and 37, spaced inwardly from one end thereof approximately one-third thelength of the side frame members. An identical vertical l-beam column orsupport 41 is interconnected between the side frame members 38 and 39 atthe opposite side of the frame, spaced inwardly along the side framemembers approximately one-third the length thereof.

A pair of substantially identical, oppositely extending inclined braces42 and 43 are suitably connected such as by welding or the like to theupper end of the vertical support 40 and the underside of the top sideframe member 36. A substantially identical pair of braces 44 and 45 aresuitably connected such as by welding or the like to the lower end ofthe vertical support 40 and the top surface of bottom side frame member37. Substantially identical braces 46, 47 and 48, 49 are suitablyconnected as by welding or the like to the upper and lower ends,respectively, of the other vertical support 41, and the top and bottomside frame members 38 and 39. A first transverse channel-shaped crossframe member 50 is suitably connected as by welding or the like at itsopposite ends to the top side frame members 36 and 38 adjacent one endthereof. The ends of the cross frame member 50 are received between thehorizontally extending flanges of the top side frame members, with theflanges of the cross frame member extending in flat abuttingrelationship with the flanges of the side frame members. A substantiallyidentical transverse channel-shaped cross frame member 51 is welded orotherwise suitably connected at its opposite ends to the bottom sideframe members 37 and 39 in vertical alignment with the first transversecross frame member 50. A third transverse channel-shaped cross framemember 52 is suitably connected as by welding or the like at itsopposite ends to the bottom side frame members 37 and 39 at a pointsubstantially in the plane of the vertical supports 40 and 41.

A pair of relatively large and strong transverse lbeam cross framemembers 53 and 54 are welded or otherwise suitably connected at theiropposite ends to the top side frame members 36 and 38. The cross framemember 54 is connected to the side frame members 36 and 38 adjacent theends thereof opposite the first transverse cross frame member 50 and thecross frame member 53 is connected with the top side frame members 36and 38 spaced inwardly from the ends thereof in substantial alignmentwith the outer end of the braces 43 and 47.

A pair of relatively small, cylindrical, vertically extending supports55 and 56 are connected at their opposite ends with the adjacent ends ofthe pair of side frame members 36 and 37 and 38 and 39, respectively, torigidify the structure and maintain the side frame members in parallelrelationship.

In use, the support frames 11 are placed in spaced relationship alongopposite sides of a hanger or the like as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 and aforklift or the like is then used to lift a pallet 10 and aircrafl A aspreviously explained. The pallet and aircraft are then placed on thesupport frame 11 with the pallet resting on the cross frame members 53and 54. A second aircraft may be stored under the first aircraft andinside the support frame 1 l. Positioning of the vertical supports 40and 41 closer to one end of the side frame members than the otherenables the aircraft to be moved farther into the frame withoutinterference between the wings of the aircraft and the vertical supports40 and 41. The lateral spacing between the vertical supports 40 and 41and 55 and 56 is such as to enable the tail section of the aircraft toproject therethrough as seen in FIG. 1.

By selecting various designs of aircraft, i.e., high wing aircraft andlow wing aircraft, for storage on adjacent support frames, the aircraftmay be positioned more closely to one another with the wings extendingin overlapping relationship to one another. By means of the presentinvention, wherein the aircraft are stored in vertically stackedrelationship, at least twice as many aircraft may accordingly be storedin a given amount of hanger space as is possible with conventionalstorage structures. The support frames and pallets according to thepresent invention have sufficient size and strength to safely store mostsingle engine aircraft having tricycle landing gear, and the uniquepallet construction affords a simple and efficient way of handlingaircraft for transporting them from one place to another and for placingthem on and taking them from the support frames. Additionally,helicopters may be readily handled and stored with the presentinvention; and by enlarging the size of the pallets and support frames,larger aircraft can be handled and stored in accordance with theinvention.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than bythe description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well asconjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to beembraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. Aircraft storage means comprising in combination, a support frameincluding a pair of spaced apart, elongate, secured together lower sideframe members each having opposite ends, an elongate, upright supportframe member secured at a lower end thereof to each of said lower sideframe members adjacent one end of the lower side frame members, a pairof elongate, spaced apart, secured together upper side frame membershaving opposite ends and secured adjacent one of the ends thereof to anupper end of the upright suport frame members, defining a wingaccommodating space between the upper and lower side frame members attheir other ends, said upper side frame members spaced upwardly from thelower side frame members a distance sufficient to accommodate anaircraft between the upper side frame members and the lower side framemembers, and a removable and transportable aircraft supporting palletsupported on top of said frame, aircraft wheel accommodating andsupporting ramps on said pallet, said pallet including means forinsuring against accidental displacement of an aircraft from saidpallet, and lift engaging means on said pallet so that said pallet maybe lifted by suitable lift means to transport an aircraft supportedthereon and to position said pallet and an aircraft supported thereononto said frame to store a plurality of aircraft in a minimum amount ofspace in superposed, vertically stacked relationship.

2. Aircraft storage means as in claim 1, wherein said upper and lowerside frame members are parallel to one another and are substantiallyidentical to one another and are in substantial vertical alignment witheach other, and said upper and lower side frame members are horizontallydisposed.

3. Aircraft storage means as in claim 1, wherein at least onetransversely extending cross frame member is connected at its oppositeends to the upper side frame members at the opposite sides of saidframe.

41. Aircraft storage means as in claim 3, wherein a plurality of crossframe members extend between and are connected at their opposite endswith said upper side frame members, said cross frame members defining asupport means for an aircraft.

5. Aircraft storage means as in claim 4, wherein said upright supportmembers are vertically extending, and brace means are interconnectedbetween said vertically extending support members and said side framemembers for rigidifying said support frame.

6. Aircraft storage means as in claim 5, wherein further verticallyextending support means extend between the upper and lower side framemembers at each side of said frame to further rigidify said frame andmaintain said side frame members in substantially parallel relationship.

7. Aircraft storage means as in claim 6, wherein said pallet rests onsaid cross frame members connected with said upper side frame members ofsaid support frame.

8. Aircraft storage means as in claim 7, wherein said pallet includes apair of side frame members converging toward one another at one endthereof, a first transverse frame member connected at is opposite endsto said one end of said side frame members, a second transverse framemember connected at its opposite ends to said side frame members spacedaxially inwardly therealong from said one end thereof and in verticallyspaced relationship to said first transverse frame member, saidtransverse frame members comprising a means for engagement with alifting implement to lift said pallet and an aircraft supported thereon.

9. A support frame means as in claim I, wherein the means for engagementwith a lifting implement comprises a pair of horizontally offset,vertically spaced cross frame members at one end of said pallet.

10. Aircraft storage means as in claim 1, wherein said pallet comprisesa pair of spaced apart side frame members converging toward one anotherat one end thereof, a first transverse frame member connected at itsopposite ends with said one end of said side frame members, a secondtransverse frame member connected at its opposite ends with said sideframe members spaced axially inwardly from said one end thereof and invertically spaced relationship to said first transverse frame member, athird transverse frame member connected adjacent its opposite ends withthe other end of said side frame members, and a wheel ramp and supportmeans extending longitudinally between said side frame members andconnected at one end thereof between the ends of said second transverseframe member and connected adjacent the other end thereof with saidthird transverse frame member between the ends thereof.

11. Aircraft storage means as in claim 10, wherein said wheel ramp andsupport means is channel-shaped in cross section and opens upwardly toreceive the wheel of an aircraft.

12. Aircraft storage means as in claim 11, wherein wheel ramps areconnected with said third transverse frame member on the side thereofopposite said side frame members and in substantial alignment with saidside frame members for guiding the wheels of an aircraft onto said thirdtransverse frame member.

13. Aircraft storage means as in claim 12, wherein said third transverseframe member is channel-shaped in cross section and opens upwardly, thewheels of said aircraft adapted to be received in said channel when theaircraft is positioned on said pallet.

14. Aircraft storage means as in claim 13, wherein wheel pads aremovably mounted in the channel of said third transverse frame member inalignment with said wheel ramps and said side frame members forsupporting the wheels of an aircraft positioned on said pallet, saidwheel pads including means for raising the wheel pads to elevate thewheels of an aircraft out of said channel so that the aircraft may bereadily moved from said pallet.

15. Aircraft storage means as in claim 14, wherein said wheel pads arerelatively flat rectangular members, pin means connected at one end withsaid wheel pads and slidably received through aligned holes in saidthird transverse frame member, and means for engaging said pin means andraising said pin means and wheel pads to an elevated position to liftthe wheel of an aircraft out of the channel of said third transverseframe member.

16. Aircraft storage means as in claim 15, wherein said means forengaging said pin means comprises at least one separate memberpositionable upon a supporting surface in alignment with said pin meansfor engaging said pin means when the pallet is lowered onto saidsupporting surface.

17. Aircraft storage means as in claim 16, wherein the first and secondtransverse frame members are spaced such as to accommodate and receivethe forks of a forklift therebetween to lift said pallet and an aircraftsupported thereon.

I i i i i

1. Aircraft storage means comprising in combination, a support frameincluding a pair of spaced apart, elongate, secured together lower sideframe members each having opposite ends, an elongate, upright supportframe member secured at a lower end thereof to each of said lower sideframe members adjacent one end of the lower side frame members, a pairof elongate, spaced apart, secured together upper side frame membershaving opposite ends and secured adjacent one of the ends thereof to anupper end of the upright suport frame members, defining a wingaccommodating space between the upper and lower side frame members attheir other ends, said upper side frame members spaced upwardly from thelower side frame members a distance sufficient to accommodate anaircraft between the upper side frame members and the lower side framemembers, and a removable and transportable aircraft supporting palletsupported on top of said frame, aircraft wheel accommodating andsupporting ramps on said pallet, said pallet including means forinsuring against accidental displacement of an aircraft from saidpallet, and lift engaging means on said pallet so that said pallet maybe lifted by suitable lift means to transport an aircraft supportedthereon and to position said pallet and an aircraft supported thereononto said frame to store a plurality of aircraft in a minimum amount ofspace in superposed, vertically stacked relationship.
 2. Aircraftstorage means as in claim 1, wherein said upper and lower side framemembers are parallel to one another and are substantially identical toone another and are in substantial vertical alignment with each other,and said upper and lower side frame members are horizontally disposed.3. Aircraft storage means as in claim 1, wherein at least onetransversely extending cross frame member is connected at its oppositeends to the upper side frame members at the opposite sides of saidframe.
 4. Aircraft storage means as in claim 3, wherein a plurality ofcross frame members extend between and are connected at their oppositeends with said upper side frame members, said cross frame membersdefining a support means for an aircraft.
 5. Aircraft storage means asin claim 4, wherein said upright support members are verticallyextending, and brace means are interconnected between said verticallyextending support members and said side frame members for rigidifyingsaid support frame.
 6. Aircraft storage means as in claim 5, whereinfurther vertically extending support means extend between the upper andlower side frame members at each side of said frame to further rigidifysaid frame and maintain said side frame members in substantiallyparallel relationship.
 7. Aircraft storage means as in claim 6, whereinsaid pallet rests on said cross frame members connected with said upperside frame members of said support frame.
 8. Aircraft storage means asin claim 7, wherein said pallet includes a pair of side frame membersconverging toward one another at one end thereof, a first transverseframe member connected at is opposite ends to said one end of said sideframe members, a second transverse frame member connected at itsopposite ends to said side frame members spaced axially inwardlytherealong from said one end thereof and in vertically spacedrelationship to said first transverse frame member, said transverseframe members comprising a means for engagement with a lifting implementto lift said pallet and an aircraft supported thereon.
 9. A supportframe means as in claim 1, wherein the means for engagement with alifting implement comprises a pair of horizontally offset, verticallyspaced cross frame members at one end of said pallet.
 10. AiRcraftstorage means as in claim 1, wherein said pallet comprises a pair ofspaced apart side frame members converging toward one another at one endthereof, a first transverse frame member connected at its opposite endswith said one end of said side frame members, a second transverse framemember connected at its opposite ends with said side frame membersspaced axially inwardly from said one end thereof and in verticallyspaced relationship to said first transverse frame member, a thirdtransverse frame member connected adjacent its opposite ends with theother end of said side frame members, and a wheel ramp and support meansextending longitudinally between said side frame members and connectedat one end thereof between the ends of said second transverse framemember and connected adjacent the other end thereof with said thirdtransverse frame member between the ends thereof.
 11. Aircraft storagemeans as in claim 10, wherein said wheel ramp and support means ischannel-shaped in cross section and opens upwardly to receive the wheelof an aircraft.
 12. Aircraft storage means as in claim 11, wherein wheelramps are connected with said third transverse frame member on the sidethereof opposite said side frame members and in substantial alignmentwith said side frame members for guiding the wheels of an aircraft ontosaid third transverse frame member.
 13. Aircraft storage means as inclaim 12, wherein said third transverse frame member is channel-shapedin cross section and opens upwardly, the wheels of said aircraft adaptedto be received in said channel when the aircraft is positioned on saidpallet.
 14. Aircraft storage means as in claim 13, wherein wheel padsare movably mounted in the channel of said third transverse frame memberin alignment with said wheel ramps and said side frame members forsupporting the wheels of an aircraft positioned on said pallet, saidwheel pads including means for raising the wheel pads to elevate thewheels of an aircraft out of said channel so that the aircraft may bereadily moved from said pallet.
 15. Aircraft storage means as in claim14, wherein said wheel pads are relatively flat rectangular members, pinmeans connected at one end with said wheel pads and slidably receivedthrough aligned holes in said third transverse frame member, and meansfor engaging said pin means and raising said pin means and wheel pads toan elevated position to lift the wheel of an aircraft out of the channelof said third transverse frame member.
 16. Aircraft storage means as inclaim 15, wherein said means for engaging said pin means comprises atleast one separate member positionable upon a supporting surface inalignment with said pin means for engaging said pin means when thepallet is lowered onto said supporting surface.
 17. Aircraft storagemeans as in claim 16, wherein the first and second transverse framemembers are spaced such as to accommodate and receive the forks of aforklift therebetween to lift said pallet and an aircraft supportedthereon.